Sharing Golden Apples!

Life presents lots of opportunities and various ways of sharing with others. And sharing is great, provided what we share is good and is accepted by the one with whom we are trying to share. Probably one of the most frequent ways we share is through words spoken. And we all have to admit that some words are not worth sharing.

Solomon wrote…
“A word FITLY SPOKEN is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” ( Proverbs 25:11 ESV)

In other translations this word is described as “FITLY SPOKEN” (RSV), “TIMELY ADVICE” (New Living Translation), or “SPOKEN AT THE RIGHT MOMENT” (Modern Language).

What kind of word could this be?
-- an encouraging word!
-- a word of love!
-- a word of praise!
-- a compliment!
-- and even a correction or warning!

But did you note how some of the translations call attention to the TIMING of the word spoken? Not only do we need to give consideration to the words we use and the way we say them, but also to WHEN they are being spoken.

Solomon also pointed to this in another way when he stated…
“Whoever BLESSES his neighbor WITH A LOUD VOICE, rising EARLY IN THE MORNING, will be COUNTED AS CURSING.” ( Proverbs 27:14 ESV)

Do you see how important the relationship is between the RIGHT WORD and the RIGHT TIME? May we keep in mind -- as we are sharing words with others -- the importance in using the RIGHT words at the RIGHT time, as well as speaking them in the RIGHT way, for Paul pointed to the need of also “speaking the truth IN LOVE” ( Ephesians 4:15).

Have a great day SHARING APPLES OF GOLD IN SETTINGS OF SILVER!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 06/05/1998 (Edited some with passages changed to ESV)]

See other teEn-MAIL on Speech